MOTOR AND UTILITY VEHICLE SUPPORTING DEVICE

Abstract

Described is a motor and utility vehicle supporting device for a tail lift, a side wall, an access ramp, and/or the bed of a motor and utility vehicle, comprising: a support layer having a first surface and a second surface. The support layer comprises a lightweight board, a top coating placed on the first surface, said top coating comprising polyurethane, polyurea and/or epoxy resin, and an adhesive fixing element which is arranged on the second surface.

Claims

1. A motor and utility vehicle supporting device for a tail lift, a side wall, an access ramp, and/or the bed of a motor and utility vehicle, comprising: a support layer having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the support layer comprises a lightweight board, a top coating placed on the first surface, said top coating comprising polyurethane, polyurea and/or epoxy resin, and an adhesive fixing element which is arranged on the second surface.

2. The motor and utility vehicle supporting device of claim 1, wherein the lightweight board comprises a material selected from the group of plastics, lightweight metals, fibre-reinforced composites, and any combination thereof.

3. The floor, wall and ceiling cladding of claim 1, wherein a second cover coating is arranged on the first cover coating.

4. The motor and utility vehicle supporting device of claim 1, wherein the lightweight board comprises a polymer encased between two aluminum layers.

5. The motor and utility vehicle supporting device of claim 1, wherein the lightweight board comprises a polymer foam encased between two aluminium layers.

6. The motor and utility vehicle supporting device of claim 5, wherein the polymer foam is a polypropylene foam or a polyethylene foam.

7. The motor and utility vehicle supporting device of claim 1, wherein the strength properties of the lightweight board are higher than the strength properties of the cover coating.

8. The motor and utility vehicle supporting device of claim 1, wherein the space weight ratio of the support layer to the cover coating and the adhesive fastening is in a range of 2 to 5.

9. The motor and utility vehicle supporting device of claim 1, wherein that the cover coating has an anti-slip coefficient of at least R10.

10. The motor and utility vehicle supporting device of claim 1, wherein the cover coating has a slide-friction coefficient of at least 0.6 D.

11. The motor and utility vehicle supporting device of claim 1, wherein that the cover coating has an outer surface that is smooth, rough or structured.

12. The motor and utility vehicle supporting device of claim 1, wherein the cover coating has an elongation at break of at least 150%.

13. The motor and utility vehicle supporting device of claim 1, wherein the adhesive fastening comprises a backing-based adhesive tape, a transfer adhesive tape or a liquid adhesive.

14. The motor and utility vehicle supporting device according to claim 13, wherein the backing-based adhesive tape comprises a soft elastic backing, preferably a foam backing.

15. The motor and utility vehicle supporting device of claim 1, wherein the adhesive fastening comprises acrylate, polyurethane, epoxies, silicone and/or natural rubber.

16. The motor and utility vehicle supporting device of claim 1, wherein a tear-off film is arranged on one outer surface of the adhesive fastening.

17. The motor and utility vehicle supporting device of claim 1, wherein an additional fastening means is integrated in the layer design of the cover coating, the support layer and the adhesive fastening for fastening the motor and utility vehicle supporting device on a surface of a motor or utility vehicle.

18. A method for manufacturing a motor and utility vehicle supporting device of claim 1, comprising: providing the support layer, applying the adhesive fastening 4 on the second surface of the support layer, and coating the first surface of the support layer with the cover coating using a spraying or casting method.

19. The method for producing a motor and utility vehicle supporting device of claim 18, wherein when coating the support layer with the cover coating, solid bodies such as hard grain are sprayed or cast together with the coating.

20. The method for manufacturing a motor and utility vehicle supporting device of claim 18, wherein a final spray coating step the spray coat is applied from a distance calculated such that a sprayed-on plastic starts reacting before it reaches the cover coating or a second cover coating, thus producing an uneven surface on the cover coating.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0043] More preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in further detail by the subsequent description of the Figures. In this:

[0044] FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of the layer configuration of a motor and utility supporting device,

[0045] FIG. 2 shows a schematic sectional view of the motor and utility vehicle supporting device of FIG. 1 with a tear-off film,

[0046] FIG. 3 shows a schematic sectional view of a motor and utility vehicle supporting device, comprising a lightweight board consisting in a polymer foam encased between two aluminium layers,

[0047] FIG. 4 shows a schematic sectional view of the motor and utility supporting device of FIG. 3 where it is applied to an uneven surface,

[0048] FIG. 5 shows a schematic sectional view of the motor and utility vehicle supporting device with a backing-based adhesive tape,

[0049] FIG. 6 shows a schematic sectional view of the motor and utility vehicle supporting device of FIG. 5 on an uneven surface,

[0050] FIG. 7 shows a schematic sectional view of the motor and utility vehicle supporting device with three adhesive layers,

[0051] FIG. 8 shows a schematic sectional view of the motor and utility vehicle supporting device with adhesive layers adapted to the support layer, and

[0052] FIG. 9 shows a schematic sectional view of the motor and utility supporting device with an adhesive layer comprising two backings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0053] Preferred embodiments based on the Figures are described hereinafter. In this, identical or similar elements or elements with the same effect are referenced with identical reference numerals. So as to avoid redundancies, these elements are not repeatedly described in the description following hereinafter.

[0054] FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a motor and utility vehicle supporting device 1. The motor and utility vehicle supporting device 1 consists in a layered configuration, including a support layer 2 in the form of a lightweight board. In the case in hand, the lightweight board is made of aluminium. Alternatively, the lightweight board can also be made of other materials such as for example plastics. As far as plastics are concerned, for example, lightweight boards made of fibre-reinforced composites can be used. For example in the form of reinforcing embedded in a polymer matrix. Carbon fibres, glass fibres, plastic fibres, natural fibres or metal fibres can be used as reinforcing fibres.

[0055] The support layer 2 has a first surface 20 and a second surface 22. The first surface 20 is coated with a cover coating 3. The cover coating 3 can be made of epoxy resin, polyurethane or polyurea, which originally are sprayed on the first surface 20 of the support layer 2 in the form of a resin curing agent mixture. For the embodiment in hand, the solvent-free two-component reactive spray coating VIASEAL LCT1616-60 by the company VIACOR Polymer GmbH is used. It has excellent resilient properties and serves as an anti-slip coating. The cured product has a tensile strength of at least 11 N/mm.sup.2 (DIN 53504), elongation at break of at least 300% (DIN 53504) and a shore-A hardness of ca. 88 (5 d/23 C.) (DIN EN ISO 868). Moreover, when spraying the cover coating 3 onto the first surface 20 hard grain can be included so as to increase roughness of an outer surface of the cover coating 3. In the latter case, alternatively, also the solvent-free two-component reactive spray VIASEAL LCT1622-60 by the company VIACOR Polymer GmbH can be used as cover coating. It is comparatively harder and is thus well-suited for incorporating granulate such as hard grain.

[0056] The combination consisting in the support layer 2 and the cover coating 3 is resistant to high mechanical loads and large temperature differences. Moreover, the bond between the support layer 2 and the cover coating 3 withstands strong deformations, too.

[0057] An adhesive fastening 4 is arranged on the second surface 22 of the support layer 2 in the form of a backing-based adhesive tape, whereas the backing comprises a soft foam. Thus, due to the resilience properties of the adhesive fastening, irregularities in the surface elements are to be affixed to can be levelled out. By way of the adhesive fastening 4, the motor and utility vehicle supporting device can be glued to the respective site of use. In the alternative, the adhesive fastening can also comprise a transfer adhesive tape, i.e. a tape without a backing.

[0058] The combination of the cover coating 3, the support layer 2 and the adhesive layer 4 allows for providing a motor and utility vehicle supporting device that exhibits a functional surface that is capable of advantageously distributing forces impacting the device and that can be installed in a straightforward fashion at the site of use. Hence, the composition of the cover coating 3 can be selected such that for example anti-slip or slide-enhancing properties can be provided. The support layer 2 in the form of an aluminium lightweight board gives the motor and utility vehicle supporting device sufficient hardness and stiffness properties whilst keeping its weight relatively low. By way of the adhesive fastening 4, the motor and utility vehicle supporting device can be fastened to various walls or backboards of motor and utility vehicles. By way of example: tail lifts, side lifts, access ramps, etc.

[0059] FIG. 2 shows the motor and utility vehicle supporting device from FIG. 1, additionally including a tear-off film 5 on the outer surface of the adhesive fastening 4. The tear-off film 5 can remain on the adhesive fastening 4 just up until the motor and utility vehicle supporting device is installed. In particular, transport and storage of the motor and utility vehicle supporting device can be facilitated.

[0060] FIG. 3 shows a schematic sectional view of a layer construction of a motor and utility vehicle supporting device 1 including a support layer 2 in the form of a lightweight board comprising a polymer foam 24 encased between two aluminium layers. The polymer foam 24 is made of polypropylene, which is characterised by particularly low density. A support layer 2, consisting in two aluminium layer 26, 26 and a polypropylene polymer foam layer encased in between these two layers is characterised by high strength and comparatively low weight.

[0061] Moreover, the polymer foam 24 comes with the advantage that it is malleable. For example, the motor and utility supporting device is also suitable for assembly across corners. Moreover, the polymer foam 24 encased between the aluminium layers 26, 26 is characterised by good thermal insulation properties. The adhesive fastening 4 shown in FIG. 3 is formed by a transfer adhesive tape and is glued to the side of the aluminium layer 26 facing away from the polymer foam 24.

[0062] FIG. 4 shows the motor and utility vehicle supporting device 1 from FIG. 3, whereas the adhesive fastening 4 compensates for unevenness of the surface 6 of the motor or utility vehicle. Such an uneven surface 6 may for example also be caused by groves on an access ramp. The adhesive fastening 4 is a transfer adhesive tape. In FIG. 4, unevenness is shown as protrusions 60. The adhesive fastening 4 thus allows for almost constant performance of the motor and utility vehicle supporting device, regardless of the surface of the motor or utility vehicle.

[0063] FIG. 5 shows a motor and utility vehicle supporting device 1 similar to the motor and utility vehicle supporting device of FIG. 3. In contrast to the transfer adhesive tape shown in FIG. 3, the motor and utility vehicle supporting device 1 shown in FIG. 5 includes an adhesive layer 4 in the form of a backing-based adhesive tape. The backing-based adhesive tape forms a double-sided adhesive tape, comprising a first adhesive layer 40, a backing 42 and a second adhesive layer 44. The backing 42 is arranged between the first adhesive layer 40 and the second adhesive layer 44. The first adhesive layer 40 abuts the aluminium layer 26 of the support layer 2. A tear-off film 5 is arranged on the bottom surface of the second adhesive layer 44.

[0064] Moreover, the motor and utility vehicle supporting device 1 shown in FIG. 5 includes a second cover coating 30 on the first cover coating 3. The second cover coating may for example provide an additional function and apart from polyurethane, polyurea and/or epoxy resin may for example include further functional materials. For example, the second layer may include soot particles or electrically conductive fibres in order to give the surface of the motor and utility vehicle supporting device 1 increased electric conductivity.

[0065] FIG. 6 shows the motor and utility vehicle supporting device 1 from FIG. 5, whereas the adhesive fastening 4 compensates for unevenness of the surface 6 of a motor or utility vehicle. The motor and utility vehicle supporting device 1 is glued to the surface 6 and therefore no longer includes the tear-off film.

[0066] The protrusions 60 protruding from the surface 6 are compensated for by the adhesive fastening 4. The second adhesive layer 44 follows the profile of the surface 6. The thickness of the second adhesive layer 44 remains almost constant. The backing 42, in turn, is compressed in the areas of the protrusions 60. Thus, it is possible to install the motor and utility vehicle supporting device 1 also on uneven, for example serrated surfaces without the adhesive bond between the motor and utility vehicle supporting device 1 and the surface 6 being compromised.

[0067] FIG. 7 shows a motor and utility vehicle supporting device 1 similar to the motor and utility vehicle supporting device of FIG. 5. The adhesive fastening 4 deviates from the adhesive layer shown in FIG. 5 in that it comprises an additional adhesive layer between the support layer 2 and the backing 42. In particular, a first adhesive layer 40 is adapted to the requirements associated with creating an adhesive bond with the aluminium layer 26 and an adjacent third adhesive layer 46 is adapted to the requirements associated with creating an adhesive bond with the backing 42. By selecting the corresponding first and third adhesive layers 40, 46 depending on the materials of the support layer 2 and the backing 42, high-grade adhesion can be achieved, i.e. optimal cohesion of the compound can be ensured. A second adhesive layer 44 is applied on the bottom surface of the backing 42. In its non-assembled state, the bottom side of the adhesive fastening is sealed with a tear-off film 5.

[0068] FIG. 8 shows a motor and utility vehicle supporting device 1 according to FIG. 5 with the only difference that the bottom surface of the support layer 2 exhibits different materials. One glass fibre layer 27 is arranged alternating with a carbon fibre layer 28. Moreover, the adhesive fastening 4 is adapted to the different material pairing of the support layer 2 so that a first adhesive layer 40 contacts the glass fibre layer 27 and a third adhesive layer 46 contacts the carbon fibre layer 28. By selecting the corresponding first and third adhesive layers 40, 46 depending on the materials of the support layer 2 and the backing 42, high-grade adhesion can be achieved, i.e. optimal cohesion of the compound can be ensured. A second adhesive layer 44 is applied on the bottom surface of the backing 42. In its non-assembled state, the bottom side of the adhesive fastening 4 is sealed with a tear-off film 5.

[0069] FIG. 9 shows a motor and utility vehicle supporting device 1 according to FIG. 6 with the only difference that the adhesive fastening 4 comprises another backing 43 and a third adhesive layer 46. The adhesive fastening 4 has the following layer sequence: first adhesive layer 40, backing 42, second adhesive layer 44, backing 43 and third adhesive layer. The protrusions 60 protruding from the surface 6 are compensated for by the adhesive fastening 4. The second and third adhesive layers 44,46 follow the profile of the surface 6. The thickness of the second and third adhesive layers 44 remains almost constant. The backings 42, 43 in turn, is compressed in the areas of the protrusions 60.

[0070] As far as applicable, all individual features shown in the individual embodiments can be combined and/or exchanged without leaving the scope of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0071] 1 Motor and utility vehicle supporting device

[0072] 2 Support layer

[0073] 20 First surface

[0074] 22 Second surface

[0075] 24 Polymer foam

[0076] 26, 26 Aluminium layer

[0077] 27, 27 Glass fibre layer

[0078] 28 Carbon fibre layer

[0079] 3 Cover coating

[0080] 30 Second cover coating

[0081] 4 Adhesive fastening

[0082] 40 First adhesive layer

[0083] 42 Backing

[0084] 43 Backing

[0085] 44 Second cover coating

[0086] 46 Third cover coating

[0087] 5 Tear off film

[0088] 6 Surface

[0089] 60 Protrusion